WASHINGTON — Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today after Congressional Republicans failed to vote down the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran:

“It’s unconscionable to think that a deal denying Iran a nuclear weapon would be threatened by petty politics in Congress. Iran has committed significant human rights violations, has been on the list of state sponsors of terrorism for more than three decades and is clearly capable of becoming a dangerous regional threat. The act of undermining this deal just to deny the president a victory would only embolden Iran’s nuclear pursuits – it is playing with fire in the worst possible way.

“Thankfully, Republican efforts to bring diplomacy down failed today. As Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, I am proud that our caucus delivered 70 votes to sustain the negotiations. There is no doubt that our trajectory with Iran has been a warpath, and I am glad to see that today we’ve taken steps to change that. This deal provides for the most aggressive inspection regime in history, which will finally allow the United States and our allies the ability to verifiably restrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“I applaud President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz, and our partners in the P5+1 negotiations for this tremendous victory. It’s time to begin a new chapter in the Middle East that builds towards peace, human rights and a sustainable future – not war. The deal solidified today is our first step towards that future.”

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